SixthCity

^ That backhoe has sat on that lot since it was used to tear down Club Envy.

Well said

Since we're all jumping in - I really like it. We got some reasonable height and it modernizes our skyline. The Ontario side is strange the way it's only 4 stories but that is the price we have to pay for the height on the mall side.

Whoa there. I can assure you I am certainly not "worried that the PD, in releasing a follow up story identifying him by name, did not insinuate some fault of his own in his death". My point, however, is the fact that the kid had a long rap sheet of drug and gun offenses is certainly not irrelevant to possibly understanding the crime. Are you familiar with Occam's Razor? "The razor states that one should proceed to simpler theories until simplicity can be traded for greater explanatory power". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam's_razor I ask you now - what is overwhelmingly more likely? That the kid who had a pretty extensive criminal past was shot at random or his killing shared a nexus with said criminal past? Homicide is heinous and we try to rationalize it by understanding its causes/motives - that's all that is going on here. To understand crimes like this and how they relate to Cleveland I think we may want at least consider the possible motives. A better understanding of these motives may allow us stop future killings. Therefore, I don't think discussing his criminal past is irrelevant or harmful.

Many urban homicides are people in the drug trade killing each other. Ignoring this fact often makes city neighborhoods seem more dangerous than they really are. Agreed - I have to give my 2 cents because I have seen this debate more than once. I don't see how pointing out the victim's extensive criminal history is irrelevant or harmful. These facts may help us better understand the nature of the crime. Of course, no one is saying he deserved to be killed.

.....and the suburbs continue to self destruct.

Different club - refer to links in earlier post.

Different club - the last shooting was outside of "Tops & Bottoms" strip club.

Maybe an Abode project here would draw us closer to a Forest City - Scranton peninsula makeover?

Yes, but not land. This usually refers to a public right-of-way. In this case, a street - or a "portion" of one. Specifically, West 20th Ahhh, that makes sense. Thanks for your help.

"The non-fatal shooting occurred at about 2 a.m. on the 1200 block of Prospect Avenue. The victims then ran to East 12th Street and Huron Road – near the Halle Building – where they hailed a taxi to MetroHealth Medical Center, police said." http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/11/downtown_cleveland_shooting_vi.html#incart_river_default Note: I just read the other article and you're right - there is conflicting information. I don't know who to believe but as a new downtown resident, I am sure of one thing - there can be no place for this crap anymore. I advocate we put cameras on ever street corner. I would rather have big brother than big exit wounds.

@jam40jeff - The shooting happened on Prospect, the victims hailed the cab on Huron. Not sure it's still operating but I know the Xecutive Ultra Lounge is right there at 1222 Prospect Ave. That seems like they only nightlife spot on that area of Prospect. http://businessfinder.cleveland.com/13641737/Xecutive-Ultra-Lounge-Cleveland-OH http://www.yelp.com/biz/xecutive-ultra-lounge-cleveland

Can anyone explain what an "intent to vacate" means to a poor ignoramus such as myself? Does this simply mean the City relinquishes the right to that land?

I'm thinking of a massive statue of a brawny steelworker. A sledgehammer in one hand and pierogi in the other.

^ That would be dope.

*Note: @Straphanger - I just read your comment after I posted this and realized you basically made my point more succinctly. The article seems to completely ignore the fact that Steven Litt's post at the Plain Dealer is that of "Art and Architecture Critic". (taken from his own linkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/steven-litt/10/210/14a) His job is NOT urban economics and policy critic or whatever else the article seems to think he is. So why the indignation that he focuses on new architecture and art developments?? The logic of the linked article seems to be as follows: The existence of poor people in the City of Cleveland means that the business and middle class's efforts to make the city a place for them are not allowed. How is this helpful? Are we, Clevelanders, not allowed to build new buildings, develop our art scene or...ya know, participate in the 21st century economy until there are no more poor people? The article attacks Cleveland's lack of a "critical mass" downtown while simultaneously lambastes the efforts to draw people back in. Are there problems in some of Cleveland's neighborhoods? You bet. Should they be worked on? Yes. Should these problems retard efforts to attract the middle, upper middle, and upper class back into the city? Hell no.

Suspect Identified/Wanted by @CLEpolice for Felonious Assault Shooting at Tops & Bottoms Bar: http://clevelandpolice.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/suspect-identifiedwanted-by-clepolice-for-felonious-assault-shooting-at-tops-bottoms-bar/

They did a nice job with this - I was stoked watching the video.

That's a strip club. I believe this was in the news when it first happened. Responsible clubs treat the dancers returning to their cars almost like a military operation. I'm way out of touch with that end of the industry, but IIRC, "Tops and Bottoms" isn't a very responsible club. That place needs to go - ASAP. I don't think Heinen's and the renters paying $2.00+/sqft in the Breuer will appreciate bullet holes and bodies a block away. I think it's time to go zero tolerance on places that attract this type of crap.

That makes sense - thanks

A quick question coming from someone who doesn't know much about construction. Is it structurally/economically possible to cut a substantial amount of windows in the western looking blank wall? It seems like this would make the building more marketable but I'm not sure if it would be astronomically expensive or structurally impossible.

Not surprising...but the comment section of this article on Cleveland.com is one of the most entertaining spectacles I've ever seen. Michelle has some real patience, haha.

Tailgating is still a big tradition at Browns games, which pretty much precludes transit usage. They'd do better if the rapid had a park and ride lot on the East Side, in an area perceived as safe. Yeah, I was just thinking - Green and Shaker is soooo unsafe.....?

Wow - it looks like someone drew those with crayons.

Professor KJP :-D